Woodbury Farmers Market opens at train station

WOODBURY — Cloudy skies didn’t discourage shoppers from checking out the produce, treats and hand-crafted items offered at the first day of the Woodbury Farmers Market on Friday.

“I love the market, I’ve been coming since its inception,” said Martha Walsh of East Greenwich Township. “There are specific vendors I look for, and they have some new ones this year too. I come for produce, pocketbooks and flowers - it’s very nice. They also have cooking contests here that I’ve entered over the years, and I have some blue ribbons.”

The Farmers Market - which is in its ninth year - will be open every Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. through Sept. 23. It is located at Cooper Street and Railroad Avenue.

“It’s important because it provides residents with access to locally-grown food and farmers with a profitable outlet to sell that food,” said Market Manager Virginia Horn. “Farmers who sell here must have locally-grown produce and other vendors’ items must be homemade. It’s the only community farmers market in Gloucester County, and we have a really nice group of vendors here this year.”

Patrick Haynicz, from Haynicz Orchardview Farm in Elk Township, said it was his third year selling produce at the Woodbury Farmers Market.

“It’s nice for people to get fresh fruits and vegetables instead of buying stuff shipped from Washington and California,” said Haynicz. “And the crowd’s been pretty steady.”

Nancy Cadet, owner of Forget Me Not Chocolates by Nancy, said visitors to her booth will find pies, caramel apple cake and “anything else to satisfy their palate.”

“I love to bake and this is a great venue,” said Cadet. “We’ll put out more of a variety each week, and we can also take special orders - like for diabetics - that we’ll have the following week. It’s been pretty busy today so far.”

Cadet’s business - currently located in Millville - is moving to a new location, so she told shoppers to “stay tuned.”

And Fran Werner from Pleasant Valley Farm in Hammonton said she was excited to be back in Woodbury.

“I wanted to bring local produce into local neighborhoods as well as get into the community and meet people,” said Werner. “I bring honey, preserves, fresh-cut herbs and of course our famous Hammonton blueberries here every week.”

Shopper Diana Alcavage said she stumbled upon the farmers market and was quite pleased.

“I just happened to be passing by on my way to Deptford to get fruit for a fruit salad when I say some young children with posters advertising the market,” said Alcavage, a Bellmawr resident and owner of the Dances by Diane studio in Westville. “It’s such a good idea, all the towns should have them.”